4020 fix it or forget it?

[fried1765]

Hey everybody,

I've got a big question about my '68 4020, but please forgive the backstory first. . .
The wife and I just bought an orchard that hasn't seen any attention in years, and it came with a house, and a bunch of broken down equipment, including the aforementioned JD. We desperately need a tractor and shredder to start revitalizing the orchard (but we're on a budget), and I'm trying to figure out what's the best way to get there. Should I try to sell the 4020 as (rusty) parts and buy something running, or would it be worth it to fix it and buy a brush hog? Someone in the long forgotten past took it apart, and somehow lost the crankshaft, don't know what else grew legs in the meantime. To make matters even more interesting, we live in a place where everything rusts, and everything needs to be shipped in at high cost, but it's beautiful, and everything grows here. I'm handy, I weld, and do automotive repair, but I've never worked on a diesel, or any heavy hydraulics, but I've got friends around who have and can help. I'll attach photos, any and all advice or derision is welcome.

An absolute money pit!
Don't even think about it!

 

[divyakfm]

Hey everybody,

I've got a big question about my '68 4020, but please forgive the backstory first. . .
The wife and I just bought an orchard that hasn't seen any attention in years, and it came with a house, and a bunch of broken down equipment, including the aforementioned JD. We desperately need a tractor and shredder to start revitalizing the orchard (but we're on a budget), and I'm trying to figure out what's the best way to get there. Should I try to sell the 4020 as (rusty) parts and buy something running, or would it be worth it to fix it and buy a brush hog? Someone in the long forgotten past took it apart, and somehow lost the crankshaft, don't know what else grew legs in the meantime. To make matters even more interesting, we live in a place where everything rusts, and everything needs to be shipped in at high cost, but it's beautiful, and everything grows here. I'm handy, I weld, and do automotive repair, but I've never worked on a diesel, or any heavy hydraulics, but I've got friends around who have and can help. I'll attach photos, any and all advice or derision is welcome.

Interesting question....where we live Deere 20 series are used daily. Parts are readily available and "easy" to fix, compared to 'electronic tractors'. The 6 cylinder engine that Deere used was quite popular and used in other applications. What I would suggest it to get a short block; long block or complete engine replacement. Saves on so many ways. You can keep the core for parts. The 4020 was one of most popular tractor of its time. It was very versatile and fuel efficient for 90hp.

 

[fried1765]

Interesting question....where we live Deere 20 series are used daily. Parts are readily available and "easy" to fix, compared to 'electronic tractors'. The 6 cylinder engine that Deere used was quite popular and used in other applications. What I would suggest it to get a short block; long block or complete engine replacement. Saves on so many ways. You can keep the core for parts. The 4020 was one of most popular tractor of its time. It was very versatile and fuel efficient for 90hp.

Tractor support/parts issues are very different between Wisconsin and the big island of Hawaii.

 

[LouNY]

I'm going to reiterate IF ENGINE ROD/MAIN BRG CAPS AREN'T correctly marked/identified Forgotten Orchard can't SUCCESSFULLY REBUILD present ENGINE without some unknown added expenses. It would be an eye/wallet opening experience to spend the time/$$$$ to get that engine running & a rod or main brg FAIL and a large hole appeared in the side of the engine block!!!

So why bother just buy a long block or even a complete engine,
JD404D4010LB - For John Deere LONG BLOCK, Remanufactured

Remanufactured Bare Block John Deere 7810 6081 | eBay

 

[Tx Jim]

So why bother just buy a long block or even a complete engine,
JD404D4010LB - For John Deere LONG BLOCK, Remanufactured

Remanufactured Bare Block John Deere 7810 6081 | eBay

I was replying to the posters that were stating rebuild original engine. After one gets engine operating there are other gremlins such as non-operating hyd's or drivetrain that could possibly raise their heads. $5900 + 4020 salvage would make a good down payment on a tractor better suited for an orchard. Several months ago I sold a nice operating JD 2040 for $5000. This 2040 had a FEL that was designed for a smaller tractor that was ugly!!!!

 

[Forgotten_Orchard]

Wow, this has really been an education! I posted it on craigslist a few days ago, no takers. However there's somebody in my neck of the woods who responded that he has a 4020 with a power shift that was a runner about a year ago but has been parked because the sheet metal is eaten up, make an offer he says. I haven't found anything viable for sale used, there was a '47 8n for sale with a brush hog, but either it sold or he decided to keep it 'cause he's not getting back to me. I think I may try to do the stupid thing and attempt to turn two messed up machines into one. If the price is right, I assume that I can just bolt the complete engine to my synchro-range, then it should just be a matter of fixing EVERYTHING ELSE. . . I may be talking myself out of this idea. . . I'll let you guys know when I go look at the other one. Hopefully it's propane or something, and it'll be an obvious no-go, otherwise I may just do something stupid. As to what the orchard really needs, it's mostly lots of shredding, to cut the weeds down to where the livestock can maintain good clean groundcover to the trunks and lots of pruning and feeding. Our rows are wide enough to fit the 4020, mostly, but it shouldn't be a big issue with some minor pruning. Wish me luck, and sanity.

 

[Tx Jim]

I'd choose a JD 4020 powered by LPG quicker than a 4020 gasoline. If powershift trans shifts correctly through all gears I'd choose that trans over a SR trans. I have zero desire to own a 8N with trans driven pto & no live hyd's.

 

[fried1765]

I'd choose a JD 4020 powered by LPG quicker than a 4020 gasoline. If powershift trans shifts correctly through all gears I'd choose that trans over a SR trans. I have zero desire to own a 8N with trans driven pto & no live hyd's.

"Aw... come on man"!

My old 8N looks so cute sitting in my barn.
I have not used it in 10 years though.

 

[Tx Jim]

Granted many/many 1000's of Ford 2N/9N & 8N tractors were sold NEW BUT with the introduction of many newer compact tractors with """live pto/live hyd's/power steering""" the aforementioned tractors have outlived their usefulness as far as I'm concerned

 

[fried1765]

Granted many/many 1000's of Ford 2N/9N & 8N tractors were sold NEW BUT with the introduction of many newer compact tractors with """live pto/live hyd's/power steering""" the aforementioned tractors have outlived their usefulness as far as I'm concerned

I do not disagree!
That is why my nearly pristine 1951 8N has been parked for nearly ten years.
I use my restored Ford 1920, and Kubota L48TLB.